Apparatus for producing suspensions



'April 2 1938. 5, J. WYNN 2,115,056

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SUSPENSIONS Original Filed June 19, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet l Y INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Apr-i126, 1938. 5. J. WYNN v APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SUSPENSIONS Original Filed Julie 19, 1954 4Sh ee ts-Sheet 2- INVENTOR ATTORNEYS April 26, 1 938. 5 J w 2,115,056

' APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SUSPENSIONS Original Filed June 19, 1934 4 Sheets-She et 5 J l M [4 INVEN'fOR.

azuzz v-zm ATTORNEY-5 April 26, 1938. 5 w 2,115,056

7 APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SUSPENSIONS Original Filed June 19,1934 Sheets-Sheet 4 W 4% MV- 2 ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 26, 1938 uNiTEo STATES PATENT OFFlCE to poration of Maryland Original application J u Colloid Corporation, Baltimore, Md., a. corne 19, 1934, Serial No.

731,390. Divided and this application June 28,

1935, Serial No. 28,848

13 Claims.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 731,390, filed June 19, 1934.

The present invention relates to novel apparatus for producing suspensions, it ,being understood that the term suspension as used herein should be taken to mean a composition of matter comprising subdivided particles or micells of one or more substances in one or more other substances, which subdivided particles or micells are larger than molecular in size and either colloidal or larger than colloidal in size;

The general object of the invention is to provide apparatus for producing suspensions, whichwill eflect extremely fine subdivision of the matter to be' dispersed in the outer phase.

Certain types of suspensions and particularly emulsions, as made by existing methods, have lacked one most desirable property. They cannot be diluted to any useful extent. That is, mate= go rial of the outer phase or of the character of the outer phase cannot be added to produce dilution in the proportions often desired. This limitation is necessitated by the very nature of these suspensions. The protective colloid or pep- 23 tizing agent required by current methods is'generally soluble in the material required for dilution or may be peptized by such material with the result that, if dilution is carried beyond -a certain limit, a breakdown or separation of phases takes place.

stability must be sought if it is desired to adjust the ratio of inner to outer phases of such suspensions subsequently to their preparation. One such means would be to so reduce particle size 33 of the inner phase that Brownian motionand the forces of surface energy may supplant entire 1:; or in part the function of protective colloids or peptizlng agents in achieving to a practical degree both stability and dilution. v

By the apparatus of the invention it is possible to produce suspensions characterized bytheir freedom or substantial freedom from protective colloids or agents effecting or promoting dispersion, depending for stability upon extreme mi-' nuteness oi the suspended particles. These suspensions are thus capable of dilution or naturally diflusible in the material of the outer phase or material of the character constituting the outer phase. Moreover, when of the oil-in-water type, they may be concentrated by distillation under reduced pressure; Still another advantage resides in the fact that,'when the suspended particles are not all of colloidal character, protective colloids or dispersion promoting agents may Obviously, other means of securing onstrating the eifects of the treatment; Fig.2-

is a profilev view of an apparatus embodying the invention and constructed for commercial use; Fig. .3 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 3 3 in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail .view, in cross-section, of the lower end of the plunger; Figs. 5 and 6 are plan views of two difl'erent forms of vibrating elements; Fig. 7 is a view, on a reduced scale, of an agitating device for effecting preliminary mixing; Figs. 8 and 9 .are, respectively, profile and front views of another embodiment constructed for commercial use; Fig. 10 is a view of still another embodiment constructed for comillustrative of standing tests performed with oilin-water mixtures; Figs. 14, 15 and 16 are illustrative of standing tests performed with magnesium hydroxide suspensions; Fig. 17 illustrates a portion of the vibrating member showing certain parts in cross section.

I have made the important discovery that,

- when two contacting substances are subjected to impactive energy mechanically delivered thereto through vibrating elements, one will be thrown into an extremely fine state of dispersion into the other, provided, of-course, the substances are of such nature as to permit their admixture in this manner. This phenomenon maybe readily'observed with the aid of the device shown in Fig. 1. Referring to this flgu're, the numeral i indicates a plate .of vibratile material which carries an adjustable armature 2 at one end and is secured by a flexible member 4 to a base 5. An iron-core electromagnet 6 is operatively associated with the armature '2 in such a. manner that successive impacts between armature and core will take place when alternating current is passed through its coil. To assist retraction, an adjustable-tension spring 11 may be employed as shown. A film of oil 9 is evenly spread over the upper surface oi the plate I and, while the impacts are being delivered, a small quantity of pure distilled water it deposited upon the oil film soon becomes cloudy in appearance, showing that a dispersion of some of the oil into the water has taken place. Suspensions created in this manner, after mechanical separation such as vacuum filtration illumination will show an absolutely clear field up to 900 diameters, but with a dark field condenser at open diaphragm position will show a few par- ,ticles with the field exhibiting luminescence. In

the ultra-microscope a profuse dispersion of particles in active Brownian movement is found with the particle sizes ranging from 0.2 down- -ward to limits of visibilityin such device. Such suspensions can be diluted to any desired extent.

Dilution of a given specimen into optically clear 1 distilled water to the extent of 2 partsot specibe used for attaching the container ii to the.

- in the water prior to admixture oi the specimen therewith.

It now becomes apparent that the disruptive eflect produced in matter by the impactive treat- -ment described may be employed to create suspensions ot a colloidal character. Matter in either liquid form or in solid particle form may be dispersed into a liquid phase with great effectiveness and without the assistance ofzeither protective colloids or peptizing substances: In fact, the presence of certain colloids, certain gums for example, inhibits the dispersion or lessens the eflectiveness of the treatment.

.In each of the embodiments of the invention which will be presently described, the impactive energy required'ior carrying out the treatment is derived from the successive impacts of an armature upon an iron-core electromagnet energized by alternating current and is communicated to the substances to undergo treatment through a system of spaced vibrating elements immersed therein.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, an elongated container II is provided for containing the bodies to undergo'treatment, it being held in a. vertical position by an upright panel I 2 having a base l4. 'Itmay be conveniently formed by a pipe I5 and bottom cap l6 screw-threaded to one another, both pipe and c p being of massive construction. A drain-cock l1 standard construction is screwthreaded into a central opening i9 formed through the bottom piece It and serves to draw oi! the treated contents. Any suitable means may panel I! and in the embodiment .illustrated'bolts 20' are screw-threaded into bosses 2| formed onthepipe l5, collars 22 providing the proper spacing between container and panel. The bodies may, if desired, be'directly poured into the con-,

tainer II at its top, but they should preferably be introduced in a state of preliminary admixture, which may be eflected in any yell known manner. Thus in Fig. '7 a container 24 is shown,

. wherein the bodies may be caused to undergo use :i'unnel 26 being provided for introducing the valve 23 be preliminaryagitation by a motor-driven propeller bodies? therein. A pipe or conduit 21 leads from the container 24 to the top of the container li, a

provided in said conduit for controlling t e admission of the bodies after their preliminary admixture, into the container II. I

"diameter of the tube I to permit their free movement therein and are centrally mounted, together with spacing washers 32, on a movable rod or vertical plunger 34, the lower end portion 3! of which is enlarged and loosely engages the opening IS, the whole series of discs and spacers being rigidly supported between two clamping collars 36 *and 31.. The discs 3| are mounted on the plunger rod 34 and are spaced apart by the spacing washers 32 as shown in Fig. 17 oi the drawings. As will be seen, the plunger 34 at its lower extremity normally abuts the upperend of the drain-cock i1, and, as best shown in Fig. 4, its lower portion 35 is formed with radial inlets 30 and a central opening 40 communicating therewith to provide an exit passage for the treated bodies when withdrawing them from the container I! through the drain-cock Suitable perforations are formed through the discs 3| to facilitate fluid circulation in the container two possible forms of opening, namely; round and square, being shown in Figs. 5 and .6, respectively. A compression'spring 4| is fitted over the plunger portion 35 between cap l3 and col-' lar 36.

The electromagnet "which serves with the armature 43 to impart energy through the system 30, is conveniently mounted on a platform 44 in the rear of the panel l2, it being provided with terminals 45 for connection to a suitable source of alternating current (not shown). The armature 43 is juxtaposed to the electromagnet core 46 on an arm 41 pivotally connected to a bracket 48 secured to the panel II. The arm 41 extends through an opening 49 in thefpanel and is pivotally connected to another bracket 50 to .whieh the upper end oi the plunger 34 is rigidly secured, it being noted that the pivotal connection between the arm 41 and the bracket 50 is such as to preclude or substantially preclude any lost motion.

A tension spring 5| is connected between the outer end of the arm 41 and a tension-adjusting screw 52 carried by a bracket 54 secured to the.

panel i2, a nut 55 being provided on the screw to lock it in any position of adjustment.

It is apparent that any impactive force applied to the armature 43 will be transmitted to the system 30 in the container That is, these parts are conjointly movable .because of their mutual connection with the pivotal arm 41. Itis also apparent that the respective actions of the two springs 4| and 5| are opposite to one another. That is, thecompression spring 4| tends to produce upward movement of the system 30 and downward movement of the armature 43 and the tension spring ll tends ,to produce downward movement of the system 30 and upward movement of the armature 43. Now the spring ii is of greater strength than the spring 4| so that, with no current flowing in the electromagnet 42, the plunger 34 is caused'to contact at its lower end 36 with the drain-cock acting as a stop, and, for

this position of the plunger, the armature 43 is spaced from the core 46. Upon energization of the electromagnet, the armature 43 is pulled downward against'the force of the spring ii and the tension of, the latter is then adjusted, by

plunger 34 does not come in contact with the drain-cock I! because of the inertia of the treated the bodies'while' they undergo treatment assists 7's the dispersion contemplated. Thus, a coil 56, having terminals 5'! for connection to the source of current, surrounds the'container ll and is supported in this position in any suitable manneras by bolting it to the panel l2 as illustrated, collars 59 providing a spacing between coil and panel. It is understood, of course, that the coil 56 is designed to provide moderate heat only. That is, the temperature in the container ii should not be raised to the point where vaporization of either of-the components or phases undergoing treatment will be caused.

The apparatus shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is essentially-the same as that of Figs. 2 and 3, but in addition comprises means for simultaneously oscillating and rotating the container H. Thus the bottom piece It is formed on its bottom surface with peripheral teeth 60 meshing with an elliptical gear 6 I, which is rotated through a suitable speed-reducing gearing mechanism 62 by a motor 64 fixed to the base M, the container, H being guided for oscillatory and rotary movement by annular elements or collars 55 having lateral extensions 66 by means of which they may be bolted to the panel 12. In this manner increased agitation of the bodies in the container ii is obtained, which permits the treatment to take eflect on a more even distribution of inner phase,

as well as on an increased amount of inner phase in suspension. Further, the renewing of the suriaceof contact between the bodies and the elements 3! is more rapid and more eiiectively exeouted as well.

By means of the apparatus shown in Fig. 10; the treatment may be carried out under pressure, this also having been found, in some instances, to assist the dispersion. A flexible diaphragm i0 is interposed between the pipe i5 and a cap H screw-threaded to the pipe at its upper end, a packing 12 being provided to prevent pressure release during operation. The plunger 34 extends through the diaphragm l9, but has an air-tight connection therewith. The bodies to undergo treatment are introduced through a nipple 14 screw-threaded into the wall i5, which nipple is is provided with a valve 15 which is closed after introduction of said bodies. Suitable air pressure is then applied through a nipple 16 also screwthreaded into the 'wall l5, which nipplev I6 is also provided with a valve 11, subsequent closure of which prevents release of the applied pressure. To off-set the effect of pressure on the diaphragm 18, a spring 19 is interposed between said diaphragm and an upper cap screw-threaded to the cap 'H. As in Figs. 8 and 9, means are providedfor rotating and oscillating the container i I, it being understood that the bodies to undergo treatment and the air-pressure are supplied'to the nipples I4 and 16 through flexible conduits (not shown), which are detached from said nipples prior to imparting motion to the container. Here the peripheral teeth 60 formed on the bottom piece It mesh with a gear 8| which is so constructed that the oscillatory movement of the container is caused to take place intermittently. Referring to Fig. 11, the major portion 82 of the gear 8| follows a circularpitch-line, while the remaining portion 84 follows a pitch-line within the circle 85 drawn through the pitch-line of the portion 82, it being particularly noted that by this construction the container is held in an up 1- most position for a predetermined period of time whereupon it is lowered and raised back to its uppermost'position. The plunger 34 here moves with. the container II, which necessitates a moducts obtainable.

ified construction for transferring through said plunger the impactive energy required for treatment of the bodies in the container. plunger 34 is secured at its upper end to a block' 86 having a rounded surface adapted to rotatably, engage a depression 81 in the pivotal arm 89 when the apparatus is in operation and the container II is in its uppermost position, the armature 90 carried by.the pivotal arm being here attracted upwardly by the electromagnet 9! against the force of the tension spring 92. A stop 93 determines the normal position of the arm 89, a set screw 94 being as before provided for adjusting the tension of the spring 92. Before energizing the electromagnet 9|, the container ii is raised, if necessary, to its uppermost position and in this position its rotation is stopped." Alternating current is then passed through the electromagnet 9| and by proper adjustment of the screw 94 successive impacts are caused to take place between the armature 90 and the electromagnet core 95. As long as the container ll is caused to remain stationary in its uppermost position, the plunger block 86 contacts at any instant with the arm 89, so that impactive energy 'is continuously communicated through the plunger and discs 3i mounted thereon to the bodies v in the container. With the motor 64 running, however, the motion of the 'container ll causes the plunger block 86 to move in and out of contact with the arm 89, so that impactive treatment is effected intermittently. The container Thus, the

H is rotated continuously, impactive treatment I being effected during the periods that the plunger of the surface of contact between bodies and.

elements 3i is more effectively executed. 0bserving that the boilingpoints of liquids increase with increasing pressure applied thereon, the apparatus of Fig..10 provides the further advantage that higher temperatures may be employed.

The period of time'required for effecting dispersion in either of the apparatus embodiments which have been described depends on such factors as the nature of the bodies treated, the amount of inner phase or inner phases to be dispersed and the contemplated stability ofthe dispersiom Thus, a periodof, say, 5 to 15 minutes may be found sufficient for some suspensions, while a period of 1 hour or more may be required for others. A procedure which-has been found efiective in facilitating dispersion is to add the 1 substance or substances to be dispersed gradually asthe impactive treatment progresses. In some instances, however, the bodies may be treated in a continuous flow through the container ll. That Example .1

' Since many impurities and subdivided matter can at times have some, emulsifying effect, it is '-desirable in demonstrating the efiectiveness with l which dispersion takes place in accordance with my invention to have all apparatus which is employed chemically clean. When this has been accomplished, a predetermined quantity of distilled water is poured into the container 24 (Fig. 7) and a quantity of purified white mineral oil equal to 1% by volume of the water used is slowly introduced as agitation proceeds. In about 5 l0 minutes the oil will have been sufliciently dispersed to enable the impactive treatment to be -'eflective. The material is then permitted to run into the container II of, 'say, Figs. 2 and 3, wherein it is'treated for a period of 10 to 20 minutes.

If desired, the material may be slightly heated during this treatment. The material is then withdrawn from the container II and again agitated for about 5 minutes in the container 24 with another 1% of the same oil, whereupon the resuiting material is subjected to impactive treatment for another period of 10 to 20 minutes, heat being again employed if desired. This procedure is repeated, each time adding a small quantity of the same oil, until approximately 5% of oil has 25 been added to the water phase and treated therewith. The material may then be introduced through the drain-cock I1 into the separatory funnel I00 shown in Fig. 12 and after a standing period'of 1 to 2 days therein it will be found to have the appearance illustrated. Zone IN is an upper layer of free oil which may represent from 10 to 20% of the total amount of oil used, zone I02 is a creamy layer of fine particles of oil suspended in water, and zone I03 is a permanent colloidal solution of oil in water.

There is no clear water zone. An analysis'oi' the material of any zone will show no chemical change has taken place (for certain oils oxidation may takeplace, but with mineral oil this is'negligible). A quanti- 40 tative determination of the material of zone I03 will'show about two percent of oil in suspension.

. The material of zone I02 consists mainly of particles somewhat larger than in the colloidal ma .terial of zone I03, but both the material of zone 4') .I02 and the material of zone I03 are capable of dilution in aqueous media. The material of zone Q I02, if collected, also constitutes a valuable product since it assays to 10% oil. Its stability can be increased by the addition of a protective col- .zu mm or by the addition of almost any substance which willreduce the surface tension of the water phase. Any substance which will increase the hydroxyl-ion concentration will likewise restrain aggregation. As an example of stabilization by -1 the protective colloid method, addition oi a solution of gum acaciato' cause the material of zone I02 to contain 0.02% of said gum will stabilize said material for a period of six months or more. As an example of stabilization by reduciiii tion ofsurface tension, addition of 5 parts of a 5% soap solution to 95 parts of said material will provide stability for at least the same period. As anexample of stabilization by increase of the hydroxyl-ion concentration, addition of ammonium (:3 hydroxide to produce a pH of 7.15 will again provide stability for at least the same period. In its stabilized state, the material of zone I02 is still capable of dilution in aqueous media. this being due to the very small quantity of protective col- 1r) loid or otheragent necessary to increase its sta bility, but also due to the fact that its oil particles are close to colloidal size (its period of sta-- bility without stabilizing agents therein' is two' weeksormore). The tree oil in zone IOI repre- 75 'sents the agglomeration oi particles which have Comparative test The-identical procedure given in Example 1 is repeated, except that here a colloid mill of the type employing both high shearing stress and high beating action is employed instead of the apparatus 01' the present invention. That is,

' purified white mineral oil and distilled water are alternately agitated and treated in such mill for the same periods of time, the amount of oil-being as before gradually increased until an. approximate oil concentration of 5% is reached. For a true comparison with the material obtained in Examplel, no protective colloid or third substance should be employed and as before all apparatus should be chemically clean. Fig. 13 illustrates the appearance of the final mixture obtained in this manner after a standing period of 1 to 2 days in the separatory funnel [04. Zone I05 is as before free oil, but here represents perhaps 99% 01 the total amount employed; zone I00 is cloudy with minute water drops suspended in oil; zone I01 is also cloudy, but with minute oil drops suspended in water; and zone I00 is clear water. Neither the material of ,zone I05 nor the material of zone I01 is of a colloidalcharacter. That is, the oil droplets in zone I01 agglomerate and rise through the zone I05 into the free oil zone I05, whereas the water droplets in zone I00 agglomerate and sink through the zone I01 into the free water zone I00. After a further standing period of a day or so, both zone I00 and zone I01 will disappear. That is, the oil and water phases will then be in the same condition as they were prior to admixture.

The oil-in-water'suspensions obtainedby the apparatus of the invention may be further concentrated by distillation under reducedpressure. For example, vacuum distillation of the colloidal solution of mineral oil in water obtained in Ex- 1 ample 1 (zone I03) has in actual practice yielded concentrates of 3.6% oil content. It should be observed that this figure was attained with a pH of 7.0 and with no eiTorts to achieve purity as.

for example, by dialysis. Much higherconcen trations are obtainable where oils or substances of an oily character possess solubility inwater to some slight degree. Also the addition of an alka -line substance will increase the ratio' of hydroxyl ions which, when adsorbed by the oil particles, permit still higher concentrations to be obtained.

Erample 2 Three parts of cod liver oil, which may have been treated to have a high vitamin content, and 100 parts of distilled water are agitated in the container 24 for about 5 minutes, whereupon the mixture is subjected to impactive treatment, as

i-by the apparatus of Figs. 8 and 9. for about 15 minutes. The treated mixture is then drawn off and again agitated'for about 5 minutes in the 0 container 24 with 3. more parts of the same oil,

whereupon the resulting mixture is subjected to impactive treatment for a further period 'of about 15 minutes. This procedure is repeated, each time adding 3, more parts of the same oil, until 18 quarts in ".all have been added to the water phase and treated therewith. The material withdrawn after the last treatment in the container II is allowed to stand for about 2 days during which the three zones shown in Fig. 12 will have formed. The suspensions corresponding to the. zones I02 and I03 are then separately collected. The creamy layer corresponding to zone I02 contains about 66%; oil and does not show any sign of breaking down for a period of at least two weeks.

It may, oficourse, be permanently stabilized by addition ofia protective colloid and, in this state. it is still capable of. dilution in water. The suspension corresponding to zone I03 contains about 2% of oil in permanent dispersion.

Attempts; have been made to introduce cod liver oil concentrates into milk by the homogenizer. Milk contains casein and albumen as protective colloids, but in actual practice the mixtures obtained in tliis manner have not been homogeneous to the extent that is desired. Now either one of the cod liver oil suspensions obtained inExample2, i. e., either the colloidal solution corresponding to zone I 'or the suspension corresponding to zone I02; may be simply added to the milk or, in fact, to any aqueous food stuff, with satisfactor'y homogeneity of the final products.

In preparing oil-in-water suspensions of the form of zone I02, their stability may be considerably increased if there is added to the oil phase, prior to its dispersion in the water phase. a substance which is soluble in the oil and of a specific gravity higher than the oil. Substances such as lecithin have been found admirably suited fol-this purpose. These substances, in addition to weighting down the oil, also function as antioxidants. Example 3 One part of lecithin is added to 99 parts of cod liver oil, which may have been treated to have a high vitamin content. The resulting mixture may then be treated with distilled water in accordance with the procedure given in Example 2. .The creamy -layer (zone I02) obtained in this manner shows no sign of breaking down whatever and a chemical analysis after weeks of standing and. exposure to light will show no oxidation of the oil. Its subsequent addition to milk constitutes a very valuable product.

Example 4 An essential oil is dispersed in distilled water by the practice of this invention and the colloidal solution thus obtained (zone I03) is then tonics and the like. The main advantage here.

- is the avoidance of the use of alcohol which is considered deleterious in its eflect upon-the skin and scalp. Economy in cost of preparation is another advantage. The residue from distillation is also a valuable product containing in permanent suspension a higher percentage of the essential oil than the transparent solution obtained as a distillate. This residue may be used without further treatment; Both the distillate and'the residuaas well as products derived there- 1 from, are soluble in water.

Example 5 Water, as the inner phase, is temporarily suspended in gasoline by agitation and the temporary mixture thus formed -is subjected to impactive treatment in accordance with this invention. The treated material is then drawn oil and centrifuged or permitted to stand until all excess water has settled out. The colloidal solution thus obtained is an excellent fuel for internal combustion engines. Increases in effective power delivery up to 40% have been recorded.

Example 6 An organic material of an oily nature and containing an'undesirable coloring substance is suspended in water by the use of an apparatus embodying the invention. Should the materials be toov viscous at normal temperature, the treatment may be carried out at the temperatures 'tent required for its proper use.

Example 7 7 Some dyestufis which' are insoluble in water,

aresoluble in oil, but canbe made water soluble in accordance with the invention. The oil soluble dye is dissolved or peptized in a suitable oil and the resulting material is in turn suspended in water by the use of an apparatus embodying the invention. A peptizer, such as ammonium oleate, soap, or an adsorptive solid, preferably finely divided, has been helpful in effecting the dispersion during the impactive treatment. At

' this stage the material should be permitted to'age for at least two weeks when the emulsion can be broken. The oil will separate out perfectly clear and the soap or other agent will form another layer. On the other hand, the dyestufi will be mainly suspended in the water. This suspension can be used very advantageously for the dyeing of fabrics and other materials. Should it be low in dyestufjf content, it can be concentrated by evaporation of part of the water phase. If an undesirable precipitate has been formed,'it can be deflocculated or repeptized by any suitable means or it can be redispersed by the use of an apparatus embodying the invention.

Example 8 I A colloidal sol of a metal is made by Bredigs are or by any suitable method and a portion of the water is then evaporated. The concentrated 'material is in turn suspended in lubricating oil by the use of an apparatus emboying the invention and the suspension is later broken, when it will be found that the metallic particles will have beenresuspended in the oil. The latter suspension may be advantageously used as a lubricant for machine bearings, the metallic particles having been found to have either one or the other of two important functions, depending on the orientation of the"oi1. Either they adsorb to the bearing-surfaces and'so fill in the microscopicpits andcavities which exist in even the most Example 9 After the hydrolysis of magnesium hydroxide a given quantity is subjected -to impactive treatment in an apparatus embodying the invention. Heat and preliminary agitation, in this instance, are not essential. The improvement in the material as a result of this treatment may be demonstrated by the following comparative tests.

Into the graduate shown in Fig. 14 is poured a sample of the raw material obtained directly by hydrolysis, into the graduate shown in Fig. 15 is poured a sample obtained by treating a given quantity of the raw material in a colloid mill of the type employing both high shearing stress and high beating action, and into the graduate shown in Fig. 16 is poured the sample obtained bytreatment in the apparatus of the invention. These three specimens are permitted to stand undiszturbed in the graduates for a period of six months when they will present the appearance illustrated in said figures. The untreated product (Fig. 14)

shows a sedimentation of 45%, the product treated in the colloid mill (Fig. 15) shows a sedimentation of 82%, and the product treated in the apparatus of the invention (Fig. 16) shows a sedimentation of 91.5%. Conversely stated, the untreated product has precipitated to the extent of showing 55% of its bulk as clear water, the

product treated in the colloid mill has precipitated to the extent of showing 18% of its bulk as clear water, and the product treated in the apparatus of the invention. has precipitated only to the extent of showing 8.5% of. its bulk as clear water. It is of course understood that all three specimens should. beof equal ratio of solid to liquid. Slight shaking will redisperse the magnesium hydroxide particles of each of the three specimens, but again the untreated product (Fig. 14) and the product treated in the colloid mill (Fig. 15) will precipitate out much sooner than the product treated in the apparatus of the in- (Fig. 16).

vention (Fig. 16). In this connection is to be particularly noted that. the total sedimentations illustrated occur after a standing period of one or two days in the case of the untreated product (Fig.14), after a standing period of two to three weeks in the case of the product treated in the colloid mill (Fig. 15) and after a standing period I of about six months in the case of the product treated in the apparatus of the invention Example 10' A given quantity of sulphur is pulverized or ground to fineness, and is thenadded to pure water and agitated. A little soap may be added to wet. the particles down, although this isnot absolutely essential. The coarse suspension thus formed is subjected to impactive treatment in an I apparatus embodying the invention and, after an appreciable period of standing of the treated material, a white precipitate will be found covering the layer of coarse yellow particles. This precipitate may be called colloidal sulphur in accordance with trade usage of such term and is a product superior in many respects to corresponding products now obtainable. In the usual manner, the larger particles of" this new prod-' uct may be separated out by elutriation and the E'wmple 11 A sample of raw distillate of an alcoholic beverage is subjected to impactive treatment in an apparatus embodying the invention, preferably at slightly raised temperature and with applied pressure to prevent evaporation. Subsequent agitation in the .presence of an adsorptive agent such as charcoal and filtration will yield a beverage in which a noted increase of esterification will be found upon.analysis. will likewise be improved.

It is desired to have it understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated and described herein and that these may be modified in many ways without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What-is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for dispersing matter in an outer liquid, comprising a closed container for Taste and bouquet holding the bodies to undergo treatment. said container being adapted to have pressure introduced therein, vibrating, elements disposed in said container and adapted to be submerged by said bodies, and means for alternately oscillating said container and", communicating impactive energy through said elements to said bodies.

2. An apparatus for dispersing matter in an outer liquid, comprising a container: for holding the bodies to undergo treatment, a plurality of axially aligned vibrating elements disposed in close juxtaposition in said container and adapted to be submerged by said bodies, an iron-core electainer and adapted to be submerged by said bodies,

two members movable in and out of contact with one another, said system being mechanically connected with one of said members, means for producing periodic impacts betweensaid members,

and means for rotating and oscillating said container.

4. An apparatus for dispersing matter in an outer liquid, comprising a closed container for holding the bodies to undergo treatment, said container being adapted to have pressure introducedtherein, a system of vibrating elements disposed in said container and adapted to be 'submerged by said bodies, two members movablein and out of contact with one another, means for continuously rotating and intermittently oscillating said container, said system being in mechanical connection with one of said members during the periods of time that said container is not in oscillatory motion, and means for producing periodic impacts between said members.

An apparatus for dispersing matter in an outer liquid, comprising a vertical container for holding the bodies to undergo treatment, a vertical plungerand a series of spaced horizontal vibrating elements mounted thereon, said plunger and elements being disposed in said container and adapted to be submerged by said bodies, two members one of which is movable in and out of contact with the other, said plunger and elements being mechanically connected and movable tainer and dividing with the movable member, means for producing periodic impacts between said members, said plunger at its lower end loosely engaging an opening through said container, and means ,for withdrawing said bodies through said opening.

6. In a device of the class described, a container for liquid, a columnar member comprising a series of closely spaced partitions secured upon a support,

to rapidly pound said columnar member to cause said partitions to present a large vibrating area to the liquidwithin said container.

'7. In a device of the class described, a container for liquid, a columnar shock transmitting member comprising a series of closely spaced partitions extending across said container, said partitions being in close proximity one to anotherv to' substantially form a plurality of small chambers within said container, said columnar member being mounted for movement within said container, and hammer means to impart rapid recurring shocks to said columnar member to impart rapid impacts to the liquid within said small chambers.

8. A device of the class described, a container for liquid, foraminous partitions arranged in close juxtaposition and extending across said conthe container into a plurality of small localized compartments, and means to transmit rapidly recurring impacts to said foraminous partitions to transmit impacts to the liquid within said localized compartments.

9. A device of the class described comprising a container for a liquid, and hammer means to transmit'rapidly recurring impacts simultaneously to a plurality of localized small volumes of a liquid within said container.

10. In a device of the class described, a container for liquid, a series of closely spaced partitions extending across said container to divide said columnar member being mountedfor movement within said container, and means the container chamber into a series of small unit chambers, means to rapidly move said partitions to and fro to cause the liquid in the small unit chambers to partake of the movement of said partitions, and means to suddenly arrest the movement of said partitions at the end of a cycle of each to and fro movement to cause the moving. liquid in each small unit chamber to impinge against an adjacent partition and thereby simultaneously produce a multiple of water-hammer eii'ects in the liquid within the said container.

11. An apparatus for dispersing matter in an outer liquid, comprising a tubular container having rigid side walls for holding the bodies to undergo treatment, plate-like vibrating elements arranged in close juxtaposition and-disposed transversely of said container and adapted to be completely submerged by said bodies, and means for communicating impactive energy to said bodies by rapidly vibrating said. plate-like elements. 12. An apparatus for dispersing matter in an outer liquid, comprising a vertical tubular container for holding the bodies to undergo treatment, spaced apart discs arranged in close juxtaposition and disposed transversely of said container and adapted to be submerged in said liquid, and'pounding means for communicating impactive energy to said discs to vibrate the same rapidly.

13. An' apparatus for dispersing matter in an outer liquid comprising an elongated vertical container for holding the bodies to undergo treatment, a series of spaced horizontal .vibrating elements arranged in close juxtaposition and disposed in said container and adapted to be submerged by said liquid, and pounding means adapted to be mechanically efiective to impart impactive energy to rapidly vibrate said elements.

SAMUEL JOSEPH WYNN. 

